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Europe is known for its famous cities, like Vienna, Rome, and Paris, which draw tourists worldwide. Nevertheless, European national parks are as beautiful as European cities. Full of jaw-dropping scenery and cultural significance, the magnificent Best National Parks in Europe can show you a whole other level of this wonderful continent.
Visiting the best national parks in Europe allows you to experience more than just the scenic views in front of you. You should add these national parks to your next European getaway if you want to plan a trip to the parks. These incredible national parks are just a taste of what Europe offers, but you don’t want to miss them. If we compile a list of the best national parks in the world, the national parks of Europe dominate the list.
National Parks in Europe Following That:-
1) Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, Italy
Despite being part of the Alps, the Dolomites have nothing in common with what you imagine. In many places in this landscape, limestone formations seem to rise straight into the air, with almost vertical slopes.
Skiing, climbing, hiking, and paragliding are just some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy in Europe’s best national parks.
2) Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
While the name Saxon Switzerland National Park is the national park in Germany, it is undoubtedly one of Europe’s top ten national parks. There is a picturesque mountain range right along the Czech border that is home to a lot of trees and forests. This is one of the most fascinating and worth visiting national parks in Germany.
However, what distinguishes Saxon Switzerland from other parks is its craggy rock formations that jut out of the terrain to create a unique view.
3) Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
One of Europe’s most stunning national parks is Jotunheimen National Park, a magnificent mountain getaway. Jotunheimen is a magical place inland from the famous fjords in southern Norway. Jotunheimen is the best park in northwest Europe.
Mountaineers and hikers alike enjoy the undulating terrain in Jotunheim. There are more challenging peaks in the park, but to enjoy something less nerve-wracking, simply look at the rest of the Hurricane range. A lucky visitor may even see reindeer, lynx, or wolverines in the local wildlife.
4) Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
It’s hard to imagine Austrian landscapes without thinking of the Sound of Music. The dramatic mountains overlooking sprawling meadows in Hohe Tauern are one of the things you can expect. The Grossglockener High Alpine Road makes for a great place to start, as it’s home to Austria’s tallest mountain as well as roughly three dozen other distinct peaks. Austria’s national parks offer natural landscapes and diverse flora and fauna.
5) The Black Forest National Park, Germany
The Black Forest in Germany is one of the finest places to find gingerbread houses and other fairytale delights. It’s almost impossible to imagine a prettier place than little villages like Triberg, Kinzig, and Calw, nestled amid half-timbered houses and adorned with delicately carved wooden cuckoo clocks. This is one of the cheapest national parks to visit in Europe.
The largest national park in the country is a great place to immerse yourself in nature. It boasts mountains, dense forests, and many plants and animals. A wide range of outdoor activities are available, including hiking galore in the best national parks in Germany.
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6) Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
It is the best national park in Europe. As a result, there are many colours in the area. Therefore, it will feel like you’ve been captured in a photo that has been enhanced in terms of saturation and hue.
There are a lot of enjoyable activities to enjoy in these tranquil waters, but unfortunately, swimming in them is against the rules. Instead, you could visit Krka National Park, where you can enjoy similar views while swimming in one of its pools.
7) Triglav National Park, Slovenia
If you stay at one of the many mountain lodges or along the banks of Lake Bohinj, you’ll have the chance to find your zen. Due to its diverse wildlife, it can be considered one of the best national parks. Locals and tourists enjoy kayaking and other water activities during the summer at the park’s rivers.
8) Goreme National Park, Turkey
Goreme’s scenery and cave towns make it a wonderful place to visit national parks in Europe. A hot air balloon ride over these so-called fairy chimneys in the early morning is one of the most fascinating experiences you can have.
Visitors of all fitness levels can hike and mountain bike in Goreme, and you can relax in the traditional Turkish bathhouse after a long, strenuous day of exercise.
9) Curonian Spit National Park, Lithuania.
It stretches along the Baltic Sea edge, forming the edge of the Curonian Lagoon, and is dotted with sprawling sand dunes and 100-year-old pine groves. It offers plenty of opportunities for sunbathing along the dunes; a hike or cycle can also be an option for the more active traveller.
The delicate ecosystem and shifting sands make it important not to damage the park by straying from the marked paths!!
10) Oulanka National Park, Finland
As the foliage changes into bright orange and yellow hues in the fall and the snow covers every tree and structure in the winter, Oulanka’s snow-covered landscape invites you to discover a special kind of solitude.
There are many shorter routes within Oulanka’s borders, the 80-kilometre Karhunkierros Trail, and a chance to see reindeer if you’re lucky in Europe’s national park.
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11) A National Park in England, the Lake District
Unlike any other world, the Lake District has a colour palette with deep purples, greens, and blues. England’s countryside is beautiful, from its sprawling hills to its pastures full of sheep. Due to its scenic beauty, it is one of the best parks in north West.
Seeing the juxtaposition of sprawling mountains and tranquil lakes is a sight, even though the mountains aren’t as impressive as others.
12) Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway
There’s no better place to hike, take pictures, or just soak in the amazing views of nature than on Jostedal Glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe.
Visiting the glacier is still possible, even if you’re not a fan of cold weather. There is a decent amount of snowfall on the glacier during the winter, but the weather is generally quite pleasant most of the year.
13) Sarek National Park, Sweden
European national parks in Sweden are hard to resist, standing mouth agape in awe over the vast open expanses of beautiful land and sprawling valleys. Due to its lack of marked trails and signage, it feels rugged and wild unless you’re an experienced backpacker.
If you’re willing to put in the effort, you will have an incredible experience in this park, even though it takes a little more work to explore.
14) Snæfellsjökull National park, Iceland
Travellers lucky enough to visit Iceland are treated to plenty of amazing landscapes, so picking just one national park is difficult, as European national parks offer sweeping shorelines, volcanoes, glaciers and more. The nature of Europe is completely different from other parts of the world due to its rare climatic conditions.
The area is home to an impressive selection of wildlife, but it is also noteworthy from a literary standpoint. Jules Verne’s characters find the actual passage to the Earth’s centre in Journey to the Center of the Earth.
15) Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
On the small island of Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park is Europe’s second-largest national park. The glaciers, mountains, and ice caves that makeup Vatnajökull make it an incredible place, not its size.
If you are a fan of stunning scenery, you won’t be disappointed if you visit the “Land of Ice and Fire” national park.
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16) Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Its 800 square miles of wilderness are home to nearly 1500 miles of trails, making Snowdonia a hiker’s paradise. Tourists are most attracted to the park’s northern parts, which include climbing Snowdon Mountain, the park’s namesake and the largest in Wales and England.
In addition to the mountains, the park is home to bogs, coastlines, and a variety of other natural features. With classes offered to the public, there is much more to do than just hiking.
17) Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
An understatement would be to say that Gran Paradiso National Park is incredibly important to the natural and historical world. As Italy’s first national park, this one in the Graian Alps was established to protect the once-endangered Alpine ibex. It has the largest alpine lake in Europe.
Besides Gran Paradiso Mountain, the park also features meadows, woodlands, and glaciers associated with classic alpine scenery. Gran Paradiso is one of the most explorable and best national parks in Europe.
Nevertheless, the Gran Paradiso, the only mountain rising to 4,000 meters entirely in Italy, also deserves some attention. It is one of the best national parks in Europe.
18) National Park of Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Spain
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park can get lost in the charms of Spain. The Aragonese Pyrenees is one of Europe’s earliest national parks, with its glacial lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, and distinctive massifs. Visiting this mountain playground, there is plenty to do.
A hiking trail leads to the Cola de Caballo Waterfall in the mountains, which is surrounded by the towering Monte Perdido massif at 3,355 m. The Arazas river flowing through the Ordesa Valley is one of the best things about visiting Ordesa y Monte Perdido.
19) Europe National Parks- Triglav National Park, Slovenia
It is also one of Europe’s most stunning national parks and home to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s national symbol. The only national park in Slovenia in the Julian Alps offers a sublime showcase of the country’s natural beauty.
Visitors can hike through idyllic valleys, quiet woods, and to the top of the mighty Mount Triglav. Kranjska Gora, Vogel ski run, and the gentle waters of Lake Bohinj are some of the other attractions in the park. Crystal-clear waters flowing into the lake make it an increasingly popular attraction for travellers.
20) Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
Its 3,798-meter-high Grossglockner is Austria’s highest peak, one of many spectacular mountains in Hohe Tauern National Park. A total of 26 waterfalls await discovery in the Hohe Tauern, including Europe’s highest waterfall, Krimml Falls, which falls 380 m. Austria’s national parks, with their diverse flora, fauna and wildlife, are the most interesting factor that makes them distinct from the other parks.
The national park has plenty of hiking trails, but a day with a National Park Ranger can provide a more informative tour. This can help you spot some wildlife.
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21) Bialowieza National Park, Poland
Eastern Poland is probably not the first place you think of when you hear about primeval forests and herds of bison. Yet both are present in Bialowieza National Park.
Only Bialowieza National Park has been designated as a World Heritage site in Poland. Zubr, the local European bison, is difficult to spot in the dense forest of the European national parks.
22) Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal
The Peneda-Gerês National Park is home to many cultural and natural attractions. Peneda-Gerês ticks all the boxes as a national park in northern Portugal. In addition to preserving the region’s mountain habitats and wildlife, such as wolves and eagles, it also emphasizes the relationship between local communities and the region.
It’s easy to spot ancient landmarks such as Dolmen tombs and old-fashioned granaries in this region of the country because it is deeply traditional. The “national parks of Poland” offer a refuge for nature lovers and a home for wildlife.
23) The Trossachs National Park & Loch Lomond, Scotland
A trip to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is the perfect way to see Scotland’s lochs and glens. Scotland is known for its picturesque scenery; this park is no exception. It is centred on Loch Lomond, a large lake.
Besides being a great spot for kayaking, jet skiing, and gentle cruises, Loch Lomond is an excellent fishing spot. It is included in the ranking of Europe’s top national parks.
24) Killarney National Park, Ireland
Along the famous Ring of Kerry driving route, Killarney National Park of Europe is a great place to stop. In addition to its natural beauty, Killarney National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It’s home to historic sites such as Ross Castle and Muckross House, which date back to the 18th century.
Lough Leane and Muckross Lake are the two main attractions of the national park, although there are also mountains and forests.
25) Timanfaya National Park, Canary Islands
Travellers can choose from many Canary Islands destinations, but Timanfaya National Park is surely one of Europe’s most spectacular national parks. The national park’s volcanic landscapes create otherworldly landscapes.
After all, where else can you see them? Only Timanfaya volcano is active in the national park, despite the entire island of Lanzarote being characterized by volcanic features.
Frequently Asked Questions
About National Parks in Europe
National parks are protected areas of land and water that governments establish to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources, including flora and fauna, scenic vistas, geological features, and cultural heritage.
Europe has over 400 national parks, covering a total area of over 200,000 square kilometers.
The activities you can do in these national parks may vary but usually include hiking, camping, wildlife watching, birding, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, cycling, and skiing/snowboarding (in winter).
1. Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, Italy
2. Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
3. Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
4. Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
5. The Black Forest National Park, Germany
6. Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
7. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
8. Triglav National Park, Slovenia
9. Goreme National Park, Turkey
10. Curonian Spit National Park, Lithuania.
11. Oulanka National Park, Finland
12. A National Park in England, the Lake District
13. Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway
14. Sarek National Park, Sweden
15. Snæfellsjökull National park, Iceland
16. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
17. Snowdonia National Park, Wales
18. Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
19. National Park of Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Spain
20. Europe National Parks- Triglav National Park, Slovenia
21. Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
22. Bialowieza National Park, Poland
23. Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal
24. The Trossachs National Park & Loch Lomond, Scotland
25. Killarney National Park, Ireland
26. Timanfaya National Park, Canary Islands
The most famous national park in Europe is Yugyd Va National Park in Russia’s Ural Mountains. It covers an area of 18,917 square kilometers and was established in 1994 to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
